11 Sidekicks Who Are Actually Way Cooler Than The Main Character

Sidekicks are an age-old literary tradition; you see them in Beowulf, Don Quixote, and Hamlet. Their job is to support the main character's adventures with a mix of friendship, reassurance, and witty banter. In real life, sidekicks are around to make their partner look good. (That's what Sarah Palin was for, right?) These 11 sidekicks are so good at that job, they end up being more interesting/funny/badass than the people we're supposed to care about.

1. Samwise Gamgee

Frodo never would have made it past the Prancing Pony without Samwise Gamgee. While Frodo stumbled his way through Mordor wide-eyed and getting tricked by cave creatures, Sam tore his way through like a boss. He rescued Frodo again and again and was with him in Mount Doom when he destroyed the ring. After he got home, when most Hobbits would understandably want to take it easy with their hot new Hobbit wife, Sam decided to travel the whole damn Shire regrowing trees that had been destroyed under Saruman. Because that's how Sam rolls. His badass combination of courage, loyalty, and pragmatism make him the best BFF in literature.

2. Ron Weasley

Speaking of ginger best friends of black-haired orphans, Ron Weasley is the clear better choice over Harry Potter. He makes dumb jokes, has an awesome family, and looks great in a Quidditch uniform. Yeah, he's got that ginger temper, but that just means he's passionate. J.K. Rowling was obviously high when she said Hermione should have ended up with Harry. Right? RIGHT, GUYS?

3. Abu

This tiny badass is somehow both a bad influence and incredibly practical. He keeps Aladdin accountable, doesn't trust easily, and can handle a sword bigger than his tiny body. Yeah, they're both pretty selfish and have shaky morals at best. But Aladdin was doing it to impress a girl, while Abu did it for the thrill. #streetrat4lyfe

4. R2D2

R2D2 and C-3PO are a classic two-man comedy act. C-3PO is the straightest of straight men, being that he's an actual robot. He's a necessary part of the equation. R2D2 is the quirky sidekick who gets to be silly while the main guy keeps it grounded. What's Costello without Abbor or Dwight without Jim? So, normally I wouldn't say that one was "better" than the other because that's the point of the act. But in this case, R2 takes it because he's hilarious and zany without actually using any words. When's the last time beeps and buzzes made you laugh as hard as when R2 goes whizzing across Grievous' docking bay? Never, that's when.

5. Kimmy Gibbler

Kimmy Gibbler is the most undeservedly hated character on TV. YEAH, I SAID IT. Sure, she was loud, opinionated, and always around, but the Tanners were way meaner to her than she was to them, especially considering her insults were hilarious. And let's be honest: DJ was kinda boring. Kimmy's killer confidence and quirky style kept things interesting, especially in the later seasons when all DJ did was complain about how two crazy-cute guys were super into her. Cry me a river, Donna Jo.

6. Max Joseph

On the Catfish TV show, Max follows Nev around with a camera, which doesn't really make sense because, like, they have camera crews and stuff. But even though his job is essentially pointless, Max is STILL better than the piece of human garbage that is Nev Schulman. I'm pretty sure they just keep Max around to make Nev seem likable because he has a cool friend.